CB125 K5 '76 - 1st weekend.

[Richard Pitman]

That starter cable worries me. It carries the live feed from the solenoid to the starter motor, not protected by the main fuse. Only live when the starter button is pressed, but potential there for problems if the insulation was damaged as a result of incorrect routing. It should be held in clips under the engine, then routed up behind the engine through the hole in the frame provided for this purpose. Probably an engine out job to do this correctly.

 

[Hans Freekit]

That starter cable worries me. It carries the live feed from the solenoid to the starter motor, not protected by the main fuse. Only live when the starter button is pressed, but potential there for problems if the insulation was damaged as a result of incorrect routing. It should be held in clips under the engine, then routed up behind the engine through the hole in the frame provided for this purpose. Probably an engine out job to do this correctly.

View attachment 58937

.. I see. Not simple. This may be a job for later. I am still thinking about whether I will keep it and restore the bike properly - ie, strip it down and rebuild - in which case this particular task will be addressed. Or I live with it for now and I just tuck it out of the way and just use the kickstarter. I still feel like I'm assessing the whole project right now.
I came to the conclusion that the starter motor is not working because I tried it with this cable attached and nothing happened. The solenoid clicked. I have power at the end of the cable, when i press the starter button - so this suggests the starter needs attention - either a rebuild or replace - I haven't got that far yet.

 

[stl360+450]

If the starter motor is not working right now, perhaps the best thing to do is disconnect that heavy cable from the starter until you decide what you want to do.

 

[AndrewJK]

Beat me to it, like the 17 and 200 engines, there should be a retaining clip to keep those wires away from the sprocket. Easy enough to fabricate something.

View attachment 58933

I have removed sprocket cover to check this. I do not have any hole or any mounting point to fix this clip. The only possible way is the slot with casting rib just under the cover. Surprising ...